NFL PLAYOFFS

[MostlyHarmless]

I also think GB will surprise the Hawks before they are being defeated by the Patriots in the Superbowl.

Rogers looked much better in the second half and now it's another week to heal the calf.

If Bryant would have just tucked in the ball instead of stretching out and trying to go for the goal line, it would have been an easy call and 1st down on the 1. It's a strange rule, that you always can interpret either way easily.

[erjaq]

There has to be some guideline on what's a catch and what isn't, if people don't like the rule... fine, lets come up with a different standard, but that was clearly an incomplete pass.

Do you really think it was clear? I just...I don't know. What am I missing? Why did his arm stretch out toward the goal line? Do you really think that was part his performing the catch? It seems much more likely, to me, that he already had the ball and thus tried to do the next thing, which was to score a touchdown. There is a very clear rule about making an act common to the game. We can argue about whether he did this or not (clearly the refs thought he did not, but I disagree). But to suggest that it was clearly an incompletion is mind-boggling.

Or, you know, if you're a Packers fan or a Cowboy hater or whatever, that serves as an explanation too. But for anybody not in those categories, help me to understand.

[erjaq]

Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 of the NFL Rule Book defines a catch:
A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds:
(a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touchingthe ground; and
(b ) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
© maintains control of the ball long enough, after (a) and (b ) have been fulfilled, to enable him to perform any act common to the game (i.e., maintaining control long enough to pitch it, pass it, advance with it, or avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.).

I will maintain until my dying day that Dez performed an act common to the game, i.e. reaching out for the goal line.

[erjaq]

P.S. -- No offense meant to anybody, I grew up a Steelers fan but mostly just follow the NFL as a gambling endeavor these days. I hope all of your teams win the big one.

[PaulP]

Rodgers takes it. 3rd time's the charm against these Seahawks.

Besides, they are undefeated in the playoffs vs Seattle! How can you bet against that

Early line Seattle -7.5

[Duxnutz]

Getting in early on the smack talk.

[JohnS]

Amazing, amazing game Seattle vs Green Bay. I cannot believe the turnaround from 16-0!

[oliverdst]

Amazing, amazing game Seattle vs Green Bay. I cannot believe the turnaround from 16-0!

The best 4th quarter I've ever seen.

[JohnS]

For me, the Seattle that turned up in the first half was completely different to the Seattle that played the second half. I'm am still stunned 30 minutes after the game concluded!

[ChanceSchmerr]

Probably the single worst played game I've ever seen. How you can get 4 INTs and not win is sheer ridiculousness. I'm actually giving up football completely for at least a season. I don't care if GB goes 19-0 and throttles SEA in a re-match. An utterly pathetic game.

[Ken Gargett]

Probably the single worst played game I've ever seen. How you can get 4 INTs and not win is sheer ridiculousness. I'm actually giving up football completely for at least a season. I don't care if GB goes 19-0 and throttles SEA in a re-match. An utterly pathetic game.

packers fans must be utterly gutted. how do you lose that???

incredibly exciting for fans who did not have a team in it. but the packers should have won that. little things.

one thing i did not understand was near the end, up by 12 or 5 - i forget - they gave it to lacey three times and i think he lost ground every time. it seemed that they simply thought running the clock down was enough. they pick up a first down there and???

strange game but great viewing (would have preferred packers to win).

[JohnS]

Giving the ball three times to Lacy was indicative of playing with safety in mind to protect the lead instead of trying to maintain attacking options and gaining yards. When Green Bay were forced to attack after being behind late in the 4th quarter, they didn't have a problem maintaining momentum and getting Crosby into field position to send the game into overtime.

[Bernardini]

Play it safe, lose everytime. McCarthy's game management was/has always been atrocious. No aggression at any point. Caught flat footed on fake field goal. Seattle had nothing going, they have faked in the past, Hello!?!? It Didn't hurt them, but why call timeout with 19 seconds left on fourth down before field goal? Let click run, then kick. Did he want to give Seattle time? Feel bad for Packers fans. Just awful

[ksblazer]

Just came back from the game

One of the best I have ever seen at the Clink. Really didn't think the Hawks would come back as the Hawks offence was atrocious through most of game. But after they got that on side kick, I had a feeling that the Hawks now had the momentum and would win the game.

[brutusthebuckeye]

Great game...but why do they have to interview Seattle's DB's after the game!

[Peacock]

All right sports fans....here we go...superbowl...NE vs. SEA. called it at the incept of this thread...I like seattle. why wouldnt i?

[Fosgate]

If Seattle plays like they did the whole Superbowl like they did the 4th quarter they will take it. Pats looked really tough tonight and it should be a good game.

[Duxnutz]

Was a very emotional game in our household. Was at the casino watching it with other Packers faithful. The way they were running down the clock - I knew when Seattle scored just outside 2 mins to go it was all over.

Watching Rogers limping in a play at the end (as he had no one to throw it to) shows you how much heart he's got.

Next year I think the Pack can do pretty well with a healthy team!

[JohnS]

I still think Patriots vs Seahawks for the Superbowl....with Broncos that outside possibility.

Patriots vs Seahawks for the Superbowl.

Obviously I'm not GOD and I am not OMNISCIENT. However, I will post who I think will win and why later in the week. In the meantime, I couldn't believe the difference in how exciting the games were...one was a thriller, the other a dead bore!

[Ken Gargett]

without in anyway disparaging anyone who picked the two s'bowl teams, and lord knows my picking this year has been a touch on the nose most times, but coming up with two raging favourites is hardly going to have nostradamus concerned his crown is in danger.

[JohnS]

Yes...no arguments there. But I'm on a roll!

[Ted]

Go Seahawks!!

[tjhernandez34]

The Seahawks defense keeps them in games, even when their offense is struggling. The fact that three times in the first half the Packers had the ball inside the hawks 25 and came away from those possessions with 6 points and a Richard Sherman interception is the reason why Seattle had a chance late in the game. I'm from Seattle, I was watching the game in San Francisco while visiting family. The look on the faces of the 49ers fans was priceless as they went from cheering on the Packers to beat the 'Seachickens' to literally mouths hanging open with disbelief at to what they just saw happen. I love the Seahawks and am happy to see them back in the Super Bowl, but I do feel bad for Packers fans, as like most people I definitely DO NOT hate the Packers or their players. Feb 1st it will be a great game.

[erjaq]

Crazy game, I did not expect the Packers to play so well (and it cost me...) McCarthy should take a lot of heat for his decison-making in this one, but sometimes crazy stuff happens and there's just nothing you can do about it. Don't much care for Rodgers saying 'we were the better team today' -- can't help but think that if Richard Sherman said something like that in the same situation he'd be roasted by all the fans and talking heads.. I guess it was true, but still...show a little class.

Detroit should have beaten Dallas.

Dallas should have beaten Green Bay.

Green Bay should have beaten Seattle.

My initial inclination in the Superb Owl is NE, but the Hawks have some serious mojo so who knows. It's a pick'em which I can't remember seeing in the big game for quite some time, if ever. The Pats offense against the Hawks defense should be fun to watch, but usually good D beats good O. Have to give a slight edge to the Patriots for game planning, though. Just hope it's a good one to watch.

[SmittyinAZ]

Did the colts even show up, did they think the game was Monday? Pathetic.

GB - I'm speechless.

Hard to bet against Brady/Belichik. If the hawks start slow like they did, Pats will bury them in a huge hole. They won't be kicking field goals, too many weapons. Should be great game.